On October 8, 1997, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Employees Association filed a petition for investigation of a question concerning representation with the Public Employment Relations Commission, involving certain employees of Okanogan County. As a result of preliminary processing of the petition, the Commission proceeded with determination of the question concerning representation, and issues concerning the eligibility of certain employees for inclusion in the bargaining unit were reserved for subsequent determination. The tally indicated that Okanogan County Sheriff’s Employees Association was entitled to certification in the matter, and that the reserved eligibility issues were not of a sufficient number to affect the outcome of the proceedings.

An interim certification was issued in this matter, as Okanogan County, Decision 6143 (PECB, 1997), for the bargaining unit described as:

ALL FULL-TIME AND REGULAR PART-TIME NON-COMISSIONED EMPLOYEES OF THE OKANOGAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, EXCLUDING SUPERVISORS, CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES, AND ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES.

The proceeding was held open to resolve the eligibility disputes previously framed by the parties.

A decision was issued resolving the eligibility disputes, as Okanogan County, Decision 6143-A (PECB, 1998). It therefore appears that all issues that could properly be addressed in this representation proceeding have been resolved, and that no further proceedings are necessary.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is

ORDERED

1.                  The interim certification issued in this matter will stand as the final certification in this representation proceeding.

2.                  The above-captioned matter is CLOSED.

Issued at Olympia, Washington, on the 21st day of August, 1998.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

[SIGNED]

MARVIN L SCHURKE, Executive Director